Yay Cork

Yay Cork

  • Yay
  • Food
  • Homes
  • Beauty & Style
  • Business
  • Wellness
  • Travel
  • Cork, like
  • Shopping
  • Opera Lane Magazine
Yay Cork

Yay Cork

The online home of everything new and happening in Ireland’s greatest city

  • Yay
  • News
  • Food
  • Homes
  • Beauty & Style
  • Business
  • Wellness
  • Travel
  • Cork, like
  • Shopping
  • Opera Lane Magazine
  • Home
  • /
  • Business
  • /
  • Meet the Croatian couple bringing vegan fast food to the Cork masses
Business

Meet the Croatian couple bringing vegan fast food to the Cork masses

By Katie Mythen-Lynch January 21, 2020January 21, 2020
  • 5.7K
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
    5.7K
    Shares

Being vegan used to mean missing out.

Not so long ago, if you chose to live a plant-based lifestyle, your menu options were limited to a side salad or spaghetti marinara (if they existed at all).

With 70% of Irish people now hoping to incorporate more vegan meals into their diet, however, these days, veganism is no longer a niche movement… and smart entrepreneurs are cashing in on Cork’s insatiable hunger for meat-free munchies.

Ask any city vegan where they go for a splurge and they’ll inevitably mention VeganKO, an unassuming little kiosk operating beside a petrol station in Turner’s Cross that’s been attracting as many flexitarians and vegan-curious diners as it has dedicated herbivores.

Owned by Douglas couple Nino Huzjak and Martina Ratkovic, who moved to Cork from Croatia five years ago, VeganKO has a reputation for dishing up the indulgent fast food treats we all know and love (think burgers, kebabs, cheesy fries, and nuggets) but without any animal-derived ingredients.

And all across the road from McDonald’s.

Having tested their concept at Douglas Park Family Market in 2019, the pair quit their jobs and poured every last minute into building their plant-based street food dream.

And it’s paying off; with the takeout and delivery business now thriving, Martina, a designer, photographer, and digital content creator, and Nino, who worked as a rider, fleet manager and operations representative for Deliveroo, have set their sights on opening a walk-in restaurant and a pair of new locations in 2020.

This is how they’re #workingit:

“Vegan KO is the future of fast food. The idea was in Nino’s head for about 10 years. He has great empathy towards animals and noticed the lack of vegan fast food shops and restaurants around Europe.” says Martina. “We hope that all traditional shops and big chains can replace their business concepts with sustainable, cruelty-free and less environmentally harmful business models. 

Not all our customers are vegan. It’s about 50/50, just like we planned. For us, it’s all about engaging as many people as possible to reduce or quit their meat and dairy intake (and to satisfy vegans of course.)

We funded our business with hard work and savings. We also borrowed one part from family and friends (thanks guys) and now we’re working hard and hoping to get funding and loans to expand quickly. We admire local and international businesses that share our passion for positive change on a global scale.

Starting out, things were tough. The most exhausting part was definitely building and taking down our gazebo at the petrol station while we were rebuilding our catering trailer. The working hours were long (we’re talking 12-15 working hours per day with one or two days off a month) but it was satisfying to watch the business grow. 

We’ve made a lot of mistakes. From kitchen choices and recipes that didn’t work out to our business approach and decisions, we’re actually happy to have made mistakes – we learned a lot from them. 

We found ourselves in the right place at the right time. Promotions are quite easy for us. Our company name uses keywords found in most searches when it comes to veganism and we also have previous marketing knowledge; Martina knows what to put on social media and how to engage followers. There’s also a lot of celebrities and big campaigns promoting veganism so all that combined is working pretty well for us. 

The best part of the week is thinking about upgrades to our recipes, reading good reviews and meeting and chatting with happy and satisfied customers. We’re extremely proud of our customer feedback. They’re very important to us and they’re mostly five stars. We’re trying hard to push quality products and we’re always improving them; happy customers are our main priority. 

Our advice to another wannabe entrepreneur would be to take risks and follow your beliefs with no fear of failure. The heart is the best guide; success lies within things you love, therefore giving up is not an option. 

We try to be ourselves on social media. We express our point of view through food stories. Martina is great at photography and all the social content is created by her. We also use paid targeted promotions, plan interesting content and work in regular giveaways – it worked for us. 

We split work duties. Experience taught us that if you’re doing a couple of things at once, you won’t be as productive as you would be doing one thing right. Writing down tasks on a weekly basis is a must. We’re also looking at hiring more people in the coming months.

Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow process of earning the trust of the people, upgrading and improving and learning along the way. We’re building this brand from the ground up.  

We switch off by taking road trips to other cities and trying out great vegan restaurants. Then there’s Netflix, dog walks at the beach, going to museums and catching up with our friends. 

We have big plans for 2020. All our effort will be going into reaching new markets and customers at events and festivals. We’ll be announcing an exciting collaboration soon and our main goal for this year is to open our first shop with a seating area and two further permanent trading locations.

Vegan KO opens Wednesday – Sunday at Drews, Turner’s Cross. Check Facebook for opening hours or order via Deliveroo here.”

Tags: Vegan, Working It
Previous Post

The world’s largest gym chain is opening in Ballincollig

January 21, 2020
Next Post

This Irish pharmacy is offering FREE oral contraceptive pills

January 22, 2020

You May Also Like

Wellness

Thinking of ditching meat in 2021? This online course will give you the plant-based basics

January 1, 2021December 30, 2020
Food, News

Turning over a new leaf? Here are all the new vegan products landing in Aldi in January

December 29, 2020December 28, 2020
Food, Shopping

This Irish company has made an all-vegan, nut-free Toy Show treat box for kids (and big kids)

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020
Recent Posts
  • The Government will meet today to discuss February’s Level 5 restrictions

    The Government will meet today to discuss February’s Level 5 restrictions

    January 25, 2021
  • Gardaí urge ‘extreme caution’ on roads with a Status Yellow ice warning in place until 10am

    Gardaí urge ‘extreme caution’ on roads with a Status Yellow ice warning in place until 10am

    January 25, 2021
  • BAFTA-winning actress Fiona Shaw will discuss her Cork childhood at this online event

    BAFTA-winning actress Fiona Shaw will discuss her Cork childhood at this online event

    January 23, 2021
  • Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow snow and ice warning for the entire country

    Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow snow and ice warning for the entire country

    January 22, 2021
  • Here’s an interesting and uplifting Cork podcast to add to your lockdown rotation

    Here’s an interesting and uplifting Cork podcast to add to your lockdown rotation

    January 22, 2021
  • INSIDE The Dockhouse (this might be Kinsale’s most luxurious Airbnb)

    INSIDE The Dockhouse (this might be Kinsale’s most luxurious Airbnb)

    January 22, 2021
  • ‘Extraordinary levels’ of Covid-19 infection continue, with cases averaging 2,500 per day

    ‘Extraordinary levels’ of Covid-19 infection continue, with cases averaging 2,500 per day

    January 22, 2021
  • Swing by this takeaway hatch for BUCKFAST cream pancakes (and a vegan spice bag)

    Swing by this takeaway hatch for BUCKFAST cream pancakes (and a vegan spice bag)

    January 22, 2021
  • Now you can finally write that children’s book with the help of West Cork Literary Festival

    Now you can finally write that children’s book with the help of West Cork Literary Festival

    January 21, 2021
  • Lala’s Lasagne or a jackfruit pappadam? 5 fun new things to eat in Cork this weekend

    Lala’s Lasagne or a jackfruit pappadam? 5 fun new things to eat in Cork this weekend

    January 21, 2021
  • Level 5 February: Pubs and restaurants will likely remain closed until June

    Level 5 February: Pubs and restaurants will likely remain closed until June

    January 21, 2021
  • MTU just launched a free entrepreneurship course for musicians and performers

    MTU just launched a free entrepreneurship course for musicians and performers

    January 21, 2021
  • Cork’s St Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row

    Cork’s St Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row

    January 20, 2021
  • ‘Very cold’ weather on the way as temperatures plummet below freezing for the weekend

    ‘Very cold’ weather on the way as temperatures plummet below freezing for the weekend

    January 20, 2021
  • People are still making this major mask mistake (and it renders them useless)

    People are still making this major mask mistake (and it renders them useless)

    January 20, 2021
Recent Posts
  • Business, News

    A Cork chef has come up with a brilliant lockdown baby gift for new parents

    January 25, 2021January 25, 2021
  • Wellness

    Cork’s LGBT+ Community is hosting a free eight-week At Home Fitness class

    January 25, 2021January 25, 2021
  • News

    The Government will meet today to discuss February’s Level 5 restrictions

    January 25, 2021January 25, 2021
  • News

    Gardaí urge ‘extreme caution’ on roads with a Status Yellow ice warning in place until 10am

    January 25, 2021January 25, 2021
  • News

    BAFTA-winning actress Fiona Shaw will discuss her Cork childhood at this online event

    January 23, 2021January 22, 2021
Follow us on Instagram

View on Instagram

Jan 25

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17884448362969007 ❄️ @wingsta_gram Tiny bit cold this morning ❄️
.
.
.
#earth #earthpix #earth_deluxe #earth_expo #awesome_earthpix #earth_pix #jaw_dropping_shots #cork
View on Instagram

Jan 23

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18135302578145465 ✨✨✨✨ @notestocork Putting this out there for those who may need to see it.  Remember...  You’re Well Able.  We are on a mission to spread positivity at the moment. Please feel free to share, repost or save this post ❤️  #cork #welovecorklike
View on Instagram

Jan 21

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17858223275423279 Good news #clonakilty - @bettybrosnancafe is back for collections ✨🍗 🍔  call, text or WhatsApp to order 0873811823 🤗💕💕 #corkfoodie #corkfood #yaycork
View on Instagram

Jan 16

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17893646212796190 🍕🍕🍕 • @marinamarketcork Pizza anyone? 😍  We are delighted to have @burntpizzacork open here at the Marina Market operating on a takeaway service only!!  Drive Thru Burnt 🙌🏻 
•Order by visiting the burntpizzacork.ie 
OR
•Call 089-2740465  Remember which ever way you order to leave the make and model of your car and the gang at Burnt will drop the pizza straight to your car 🎉  Tag us in your pizza pics ❤️
•
#marinamarket #marinamarketcork #pizza #burntpizza #takeaway #drivethru #staysafe #supportlocal #lovecork #cork
View on Instagram

Jan 15

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17891631706827475 Beautiful #ballycotton #cork #welikecorklike
View on Instagram

Jan 15

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18089635483227286 • @irishgreatcraic perspectives
.
.
.
#ireland #irlanda #descubreirlanda #cork #discovercork #dailycork #corkcity #visitireland #ig_cork #travelireland #beautifulireland #instaireland #loveireland #irish_daily #discoverireland #inspireireland #wanderireland #rawireland #ireland_travel #thisisireland #igersireland #topirelandphoto #yaycork
View on Instagram

Jan 15

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18134441317179742 😍😍 • @sarakatepics Can't wait for everything to open and to have the freedom to explore and be a tourist again .. even just in my own county 💕 This was taken in between lockdowns last summer when there was a brief feel of normality!  #cork #yaycork #irishtravel #travelgram
View on Instagram

Jan 13

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17861064776354675 Epic Beara scenes from @kothephoto “Banana split sunset along the Beara way.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#walkwithlocals #gltlove #shotoniphone #femalephotographer #sonyalpha #alphafemale #female_igers_ireland_ #beara #ringofbeara #wildatlanticway #westcork #yaycork #kilcatherinepoint
View on Instagram

Jan 13

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17857613480381029 Trying to avoid the supermarket?  As the lockdown rumbles on, now is a great time to try out a grocery drop-off, especially if you’re cocooning or juggling work with childcare and homeschooling.  We now have more delivery options than ever in Cork and you can access the best of fresh produce, meat, vegetables and other items at the click of a mouse to have it delivered to your door. Hit the ‘Try This’ button in our highlights for five grocery deliveries to try in #Cork this week.
Recent Posts
  • Here’s an interesting and uplifting Cork podcast to add to your lockdown rotation

    Here’s an interesting and uplifting Cork podcast to add to your lockdown rotation

    January 22, 2021
  • INSIDE The Dockhouse (this might be Kinsale’s most luxurious Airbnb)

    INSIDE The Dockhouse (this might be Kinsale’s most luxurious Airbnb)

    January 22, 2021
  • ‘Extraordinary levels’ of Covid-19 infection continue, with cases averaging 2,500 per day

    ‘Extraordinary levels’ of Covid-19 infection continue, with cases averaging 2,500 per day

    January 22, 2021
  • Swing by this takeaway hatch for BUCKFAST cream pancakes (and a vegan spice bag)

    Swing by this takeaway hatch for BUCKFAST cream pancakes (and a vegan spice bag)

    January 22, 2021
  • Now you can finally write that children’s book with the help of West Cork Literary Festival

    Now you can finally write that children’s book with the help of West Cork Literary Festival

    January 21, 2021
  • Lala’s Lasagne or a jackfruit pappadam? 5 fun new things to eat in Cork this weekend

    Lala’s Lasagne or a jackfruit pappadam? 5 fun new things to eat in Cork this weekend

    January 21, 2021
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • About Us
  • Privacy Statement

© 2020 Yay Cork

Type and hit enter to display search result